Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Belgium to the United States

The United States is an important export destination for Belgian products. Trade relationships between the two nations have flourished for years, benefiting various industries, from automotive to machinery and pharmaceuticals to chemicals. 

In fact, the trade and investment relationship between Belgium and the United States is one of the largest and most balanced in the world. In 2022, Belgium exported $15.5 billion worth of products to the United States. Vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins, and cultures are the top exported products at $9.38 billion. 

If you are looking to ship your Belgium goods to the United States, you’ve come to the right place. Here is your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options, customs clearance, and more. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Belgium to the United States?

Your options for freight shipping from Belgium to the United States are ocean freight and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Belgium to the United States

Ocean freight is the most common way to ship goods from Belgium to the United States. Shippers like it because of its cost efficiency and flexibility. It can accommodate any type of goods you need to transport and even offers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is used by shippers with small shipments. Here, their goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. That way, each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, making LCL highly economical. 

FCL, on the other hand, is used by those with large shipping needs. They rent an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more space for large, heavy shipments. Although more expensive than LCL, FCL can be great value for money if the space is maximized. 

Air Freight from Belgium to the United States

The other method of shipping goods from Belgium to the United States is air freight. This is the fastest mode of international transport, making it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. It’s also preferred by shippers with high-value goods, as air freight has stricter rules and processes that can help ensure cargo security. 

There are disadvantages to shipping by air. The first would have to be the cost, with air freight being significantly more expensive than ocean freight. Second, it’s not as flexible as ocean freight, as it’s unable to accommodate all cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Belgium to the United States?

The cost of shipping cargo from Belgium to the United States will depend on several factors. These include: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Belgium to the US:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Belgium to the United States?

Shipping goods from Belgium to the United States varies in transit time, primarily based on your international shipping mode. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Belgium to the United States?

Ocean freight from Belgium to the United States takes 15 to 50 days. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Belgium to the United States?

Air freight from Belgium to the United States is much faster, taking approximately 2 to 8 business days. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Belgium and the United States

Once your goods arrive in the United States, they will go through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection authorities for the customs clearance process. This requires that you submit the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

We have a full documents list you can take a look at for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

To make the right choice between ocean and air freight, you need to consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight may be right if you’re looking for value cost efficiency and flexibility. It’s best for cargo with unique specifications, as ocean freight can accommodate the type of goods and your requests. It also offers two options for container shipping that you can choose from to optimize your shipment. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

You should ship via LCL if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

Ship via FCL if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If your priority is to get your goods from Belgium to the United States fast, then air freight is your best bet. It takes less than a week to get goods to the U.S. by air, making it ideal for time-sensitive shipments. Shippers of high-value cargo will also appreciate air freight security, with stricter airport processes and rules than ocean freight. 

However, before going for this option, you should know that it’s the most expensive way to ship goods from Belgium to the United States. It’s also not very flexible, and it is unable to accommodate all cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide 

Cargo ports of origin in Belgium

Port of Ghent

The Port of Ghent is Belgium’s third busiest seaport. It is located in Ghent, East Flanders, in the Flemish Region. The port boasts an annual container volume of 530,823 TEUs and an annual cargo tonnage of 47,712 million. 

Port of Ostend

The Port of Ostend is in Ostend, West Flanders, Flemish Region, Belgium. It provides various freight transport services, from lift-on lift-off to bulk and project cargo. The port is also famous for cruises and fishing. 

Port of Genk 

The Port of Genk is an inland port and container terminal between the Euregion and Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Rotterdam ports. This strategic location makes it ideal for facilitating the flow of goods to and from these seaports. The port boasts a trimodal transport platform connecting to road, water, and rail systems. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana handles 60% of all grain cargo handling in the Midwest. It’s one of the biggest and most widespread ports in the United States, spanning over 54 miles in land area. Every year, the port handles over 238 million metric tonnes of cargo. 

Port of Corpus Christi

The Port of Corpus Christi stands out because of its energy conservation blueprint, a rarity among U.S. ports. In addition to its environmental sustainability initiatives, it also has good numbers. On average, it handles 100 million metric tonnes of cargo, 80% of which are crude oil and petroleum products. 

Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans is one of the busiest ports in the United States, boasting an average of 3,600 vessel calls every year. 41.6% of these vessels move dry bulk cargo. The port recorded 92.2 million metric tonnes of cargo handled. 

Air Freight from Belgium to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Belgium

Liege Airport

The Liege Airport is located in Grâce-Hollogne. It’s five nautical miles west of Liège city in Belgium. The airport’s primary focus is air freight, handling over 1.4 million tonnes of cargo annually. It’s a hub for Challenge Group, ASL Airlines Belgium, and more. 

Brussels Airport

Brussels Airport is an international airport located in Zaventem municipality in Flemish Brabant, 6.5 nautical miles northeast of Brussels. It sees over 234,460 aircraft movements per year and is a hub for Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, TUI Fly Belgium, and more. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Louisville International Airport

The Louisville International Airport is one of the most popular airports globally, even for cargo traffic. It is home to the UPS Worldport, allowing it to handle more than 5 million pounds of cargo, freight, and mail annually. 

Miami International Airport

Miami International Airport is the top airport for international freight in the United States. It generates over $33.7 billion in business revenue per year and handles 2 million tonnes of cargo. The airport is also one of the first 6 U.S. cargo hub airports to adopt a reliable digital system. 

Los Angeles International Airport 

Los Angeles International Airport is hailed as an international gateway on the West Coast. It’s among the top five cargo airports in the United States by cargo tonnage, handling over 1.9 million tonnes of cargo per year. It boasts 20 dedicated cargo facilities with 2.1 million square feet of cargo operating space.